Let It Be Heard...

The Collective Sound “Let It Be Heard...” webisodes were the collaborative work of four minds. Brandon Vedder and Chris Acosta contributed their skills as cameramen and directors, as well as film editors, to bring together the art of Daniel Vera and the narration of camp founder Zac Smith in to a polished, finished project.

Brandon Vedder // Video Director & Editor

My passion for film and music has led me through an array of creative experiences. I realized early on shooting live music and making music videos would combine those two passions. In 2003 I had the opportunity to join rock band Pearl Jam on their Riot Act tour to shoot the multi platinum selling live DVD “Pearl Jam: Live at the Garden”. Since then I have been shooting for top rock and hip hop artists like; Wu-Tang Clan, Sparta, De La Soul and many others. I have also produced content for such companies as Mix Magazine, Highway Video and many others. Past work has included being a camera operator on feature length narrative and documentary films as well as producing and directing many short films of my own. The independently produced short films have garnered festival attention and the most recent was the recipient of the coveted Kodak 35mm Grant.

Who do you look up to most in your respected field?

Billy Wilder, P.T Anderson, Alfonso Cuarón, Judd Apatow, Marcel Carné, Stanley Kubrick

What are some of your musical influences?

Pretty much anything that comes out of Anticon Records, John Fusciante, Animal Collective, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Pedro the Lion, Radiohead, Operation Ivy, Wilco

What inspires you the most in life?

I am not sure I have found it yet. As of now it comes from good writing. Could be literature, film, or music just using the English language in an interesting and purposeful way. Another important one is collaboration and the process therein, the late nights with people I trust and respect.

Christ Acosta // Director & Editor...

I have split my time between videography and music, joining the two as often as possible. After being spat into the freelance world after being laid off from my job at Capitol Records Hollywood amidst the death rattle of music; I was able to hang on to some of my clients connections and keep working mainly on music related projects. One of these projects, and behind the scenes shoot for the band OK GO brought me back together with my high school friend Brandon Vedder. later he and I collaborated with zac smith to bring you Let It Be Heard... The Story Of The Collective Sound.

Who do you look up to most in your field?

Directors like Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu who are able to mix artistic presentation with a more class style of narrative to tell some of the most beautiful story without losing anything in the translation.

What are some of you musical influences?

Joy Division, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, anything from Anticon, and The Shimmies who will be bigger than all of them soon.

What inspires you the most in life?

The work of creative people.